Frostbiters enjoy sunny sailing day

By John Horton

Frostbite sailors enjoyed sunny skies and moderate temperatures for Sunday's races before the snowstorm hit on Sunday night. Photo by Vic Richardson With sun and a blue sky overhead, 10 knots of wind and 39 degrees, the frostbite fleet got in a perfect day of sailing before the cold and snow arrived Sunday night. Race Committee Chairman Dick Allphin and George Rice set up a course in front of Shoreby Hill with the start line off the Conanicut Marina gas dock and the windward mark 150 yards to the north towards the bridge.

With six boats right on the start line at the starting whistle, getting a position with clear air without being blanketed by another boat was critical to a good start. Only one boat got caught being too aggressive and over the line when the start whistle blew; Gary Fischer, in the last race. Gary quickly dipped back down below the line, gybed around and restarted quickly.

The upwind leg strategy had to account for more wind but more negative tide by going out in the bay versus less wind and less negative tide going along the beach. The deciding factor was catching the 15-degree wind shift that came down the course on each race.

The fleet got a new member, Amory Ross from Newport, who was first up to the windward mark two times, but didn't get around first because of the tide. All agreed that it was one of the best days of our winter sailing.

The results for the five races: John Horton won the day with five firsts and 5 points. Second was Amory Ross with 11 points; third, Jack Hubbard with 17 points; fourth, Doc Clarke with 20 points; and tied for fifth with 26 points each: Gary Fischer and Henry Siegal.